PURE GYM BACK IN THE RACE

RACE UPDATE 09.00 June 07

AFTER yesterday’s drama at sea – rescued by a lifeboat following a total electrics failure – Pure Gym are back in GBRow 2013.

Under the rules, this race for a world record is non-stop and unassisted but Pure Gym have been allowed to continue as a ‘supported’ attempt, which means that although they are still taking part, they can’t share the prize money.

Stuart Chamberlayne, 23, – the strongest rower on Team Hallin, who were forced to quit the race yesterday – has joined the team aboard Pure Gym.

This morning at just 08.00 skipper Claire Shouksmith and her crew bid farewell to the people of Salcombe who came to their rescue yesterday and set off for Land’s End.

They could expect a challenge en route from Josh Tarr and Jason McKinlay in Savoir Faire, the only pair left in the race, who are currently in third place in GBRow 2013.

Jason and Josh anchored just off their home port of Salcombe last night before they, too, set course for Land’s End this morning.

Early next week the wind direction changes to south/south westerly so the two crews still off the southern coast of Cornwall have to reach Land’s End before the shift.

Meanwhile under clear skies and sunshine in the Celtic Sea the battle for the lead remains as hot as ever with The Islanders maintaining a slender lead of 9.5 nautical miles over Oarsome Adventures

Although The Islanders were making slightly better headway, both crews should reach the Irish Sea this afternoon.